Rephonic
Artwork for Seek Safely
Self-Help Industry
Mental Health
James Arthur Ray
Self-Help
Trauma
Cults
Eating Disorders
Recovery
Taylor Swift
Multi-Level Marketing (MLM)
Abuse
Spiritual Warrior Retreat
Accountability
NXIVM Cult
Societal Chaos
Ethics In Self-Help
International Cultic Studies Association
Trauma Recovery
Emotional Processing
Landmark Forum

The SEEK Safely podcast is the official voice of the nonprofit organization SEEK Safely Inc, which advocates for ethics and accountability in the self-help industry, and empowers seekers to have safe and effective self-improvement journeys. Jean Brown and Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle peel back the layers of the largely unregulated, multi-billion dollar self-help industry, discussing the patterns of exp... more

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes49Founded3 years ago
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Artwork for Seek Safely

Latest Episodes

Dr. Doyle and Jean discuss some of the points of intersection between the self-help industry and climate change and environmental issues in general. How do these things relate, you might ask. The self-help industry is in many ways a reflection of lar... more

It’s time for SEEK’s annual fundraising push! We just finished up our annual SEEK Week fundraiser, which features a different live-streaming topic each night for a week. You can watch the recordings on our YouTube channel. And we're planning ahead fo... more

Glenn and Jean dive into the phenomenon of the celebrity turned self-help guru. As trust in traditional authorities breaks down, we turn to other sources, like celebrities. But what happens when a celeb with notoriety in one area starts talking up a ... more

Jean and Glenn talk guru origin stories—from the dubious to downright fantastical. Why do they do this? What is the point, and what could be the harm?

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Recent Guests

Dr. John Hunter
Author of Manufacturing Mania, The Dopamine Hypothesis of Religious Experience
Episode: Dr. John Hunter Explains how Self-help Events are “Manufacturing Mania”
Dr. Christine B. Whelan
Self-help industry expert and author
Episode: Entering the Post-guru Phase of Self-help: Reflecting on James Ray’s Death with Dr. Christine Whelan
Anne Peterson
Author of 'Is This a Cult' and former member of Landmark
Illuminate
Episode: SEEK Safely Summit Recap with Anne Peterson
India Oxenberg
Author, producer, and activist known for escaping the NXIVM cult
Still Learning Podcast
Episode: Chatting with India Oxenberg on the Self-help to Cult Pipeline
Anne L. Peterson
Author of 'Is This A Cult?' who reflects on her experiences with Landmark Forum.
Episode: Following up with Anne Peterson, Author of "Is This a Cult"
Brit Barkholtz
A trauma therapist specializing in complex trauma and eating disorders
Episode: SEEK Safely Podcast (Taylor Edition) with Brit Barkholtz (Part 1)

Hosts

Jean Brown
Co-host and advocate for ethics and accountability in the self-help industry.
Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle
Co-host and expert discussing the self-help industry's ethical implications.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 94 ratings
  • Excellent podcast about controlling groups

    Really love listening to this podcast. It is well edited and meaningful. A great resource to learn about controlling groups and the individuals they manipulate.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    83917372548
    United States9 months ago
  • Spot on

    As someone who has been seeking (for me personally that is looking for ways to recover from cptsd ) for a long time, I have been aware of the self help industry for many years.

    But it was watching my partner at a vulnerable point in his life, be sucked into a self help “guru’s” whirlpool of wild promises mixed with a flotsam of truth, that opened my eyes to the dangers of this unregulated business.

    The money, the time, the divide it created in our relationship. My inability to explain to him ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    sparescrew
    New Zealand2 years ago
  • Very relatable!!

    I love spending time with Jean and Dr. Doyle. They’re funny, down to earth and give great recommendations without being preachy or like an icky self help guru (which is exactly what they’re not!). I was a long time self-help junkie and read ALL the books, so I love when they discuss various ‘gurus’. I look forward to every new episode and always leave feeling good about myself, like I’m normal and have something good to offer the world, (and that I probably don’t need any self help, even thoug... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ChrPre
    Canada2 years ago
  • Please Stop Nattering

    I deeply believe in seeking safely and I am a skeptical self-help geek. I am fascinating by the flim flammery of the industry but also believe self help offers a lot of value. I am probably this podcast’s ideal listener. However, I am very frustrated at how long it takes the hosts to get to their points every episode. We are on minute 17 of a podcast about Tony Robbins and we haven’t heard anything of substance except he is one of the leading self help gurus and is so popular The Office has made... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    marysternbach
    United States2 years ago
  • Balanced and Nuanced Approach

    Thank you for being one of the few podcasts today that presents these themes and concepts in a balanced way. I really appreciate that you recognize that everything in life is nuanced and that you avoid polarized opinions - so rare in today’s world!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    JDBBC
    Canada2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many listeners find the hosts relatable and enjoy the blend of humor and serious topics.
Listeners appreciate the insightful discussions on the dangers of the self-help industry, often highlighting the importance of ethics and accountability.
The podcast is recognized for providing valuable resources and perspectives on navigating the self-help landscape safely.
Some comments suggest a desire for more concise delivery, as certain episodes may feel drawn out before addressing core themes.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Chatting with India Oxenberg on the Self-help to Cult Pipeline
Q: How do you feel about forgiveness?
Forgiveness is complex, and it can be a healing tool if it resonates with you, but it's important to find what works for your own recovery journey.
Chatting with India Oxenberg on the Self-help to Cult Pipeline
Q: What was the hook for you in NXIVM?
The hook was the motivation to heal past traumas and the perception that I was there to learn, grow, and achieve success.
SEEK Safely Summit Recap with Anne Peterson
Q: What do you think would correct some of these dangers or problems in the self-help industry?
Having a magic wand, we can discuss about possible changes the industry can adopt for better safety and accountability.
Following up with Anne Peterson, Author of "Is This a Cult"
Q: How would you answer the question 'Is Landmark a cult?' now?
I would say yes, I have come to recognize the abusive practices as cult-like after deeper reflection.
Following up with Anne Peterson, Author of "Is This a Cult"
Q: How has the response been to your book since its release?
The response has been overwhelming, with many Landmark graduates thanking me for sharing their stories.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Seek Safely

What is Seek Safely about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focusing on the self-help industry, this podcast examines the often-overlooked risks and exploitative practices associated with personal development practices. The discussions highlight the experiences and insights of the hosts as they confront the challenging realities of self-help, emphasizing the need for ethics and accountability in this largely unregulated field. By engaging with experts and individuals who have navigated the darker sides of self-improvement, the show offers a critical perspective while advocating for a safer environment for seekers. It serves as a crucial resource for those interested in make informed decisions about their self-improvement journeys and learning how to protect themselves from potential manipulation.

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How many listeners does Seek Safely get?

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How many subscribers and views does Seek Safely have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Seek Safely has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Seek Safely?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Seek Safely:

1. IndoctriNation
2. A Little Bit Culty
3. The Dream
4. If Books Could Kill
5. Maintenance Phase

How many episodes of Seek Safely are there?

Seek Safely launched 3 years ago and published 49 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Seek Safely?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Seek Safely?

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What guests have appeared on Seek Safely?

Recent guests on Seek Safely include:

1. Dr. John Hunter
2. Dr. Christine B. Whelan
3. Anne Peterson
4. India Oxenberg
5. Anne L. Peterson
6. Brit Barkholtz

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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